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Russia and China Discuss Increased Film Cooperation

Co-production, releases of Russian films in China and sales of adaptation rights are issues under discussion.

Russia and China are in discussions about stepping up cooperation between the two countries in the film area, a Russian official stated.

"Currently, we are in talks about joint production of movies with our Chinese partners, about sales of Russian TV series to China, as well as adaptation rights and film exhibition issues," Alexei Volin, Russia's deputy communication minister, was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

One of the main obstacles for Russian films' exhibition in China are restrictions on foreign releases that are in place there.

According to Volin, the two countries are currently negotiating quotas for Russian films on top of other foreign releases, which would increase the number of Russian films released in China.

Two Russian features, Soulless 2 and Battle for Sevastopol, are to take part in Beijing International Film Festival this coming April, which Volin said was a sign of Russian films' rising profile in China.

A special section is to be devoted to business contacts between China and Russia during the two countries' business forum, scheduled to be held in Beijing on April 21-22.

The idea of closer cooperation between Russia and China in the area of film production was first discussed last year.